FAMILIES facing the loss of children's centres in Abingdon are unlikely to be thrown a financial lifeline by their local council.

An Abingdon Town Council committee recommended refusal of a plan to inject up to £60,000 into its community fund to help sustain services lost if the town's two children's centres close.

Council leader Mike Badcock recognised the "valuable" work of the centres but added: "The council already has major financial pressures including the ongoing Guildhall Development Project.

"The town council must be very careful in taking on services and expenditure from other authorities. To do so would have major financial implications for council tax payers in Abingdon."

In January Mr Badcock stressed a "great need" for children's centres and said he would rather spend money to keep their services than on the town's neighbourhood plan.

Liberal Democrat councillor Samantha Bowring said she was "very frustrated" when councillors rejected her motion at a meeting on Thursday.

She said: "There is so much wriggling around in our budget we felt there was a lot of scope for efficiency savings."

Under her suggestions funding could also come from a £5 council tax rise.

South Abingdon Children’s Centre in Caldecott Chase and North Abingdon Children’s Centre in Northcourt Road are among 44 children's centres due to lose their Oxfordshire County Council funding in March and replaced by a new targeted service.